Tray and dish rack assembly



Aug. 31, 1965 R. ETTLINGER, JR

TRAY AND DISH RACK ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1963 INVENTQR. RALPH ETTL/NGER, JR BY /7 3: MM 0m ATTYS.

1965 R. ETTLINGER, JR

TRAY AND DISH RACK ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1963 INVENTOR. RALPH ETTL/NGER, JR. BY W zflm aw w ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,203,557 TRAY AND DISH RACK ASSEMBLY Ralph Ettlinger, Jr., 1370 Lincoln Ave. S.,

Highland Park, Ill. Filed June 14, 1963, Ser. No. 287,928 2Claims. (Cl.21'1--126) This invention relates to an assembly comprising a tray and rack which is to be utilized for the handling of dishes and related objects. The assembly of this invention is particularly suitable for use in combination with operations requiring the use of large numbers of dishes particularly where the dishes are to be cleaned in automatic dishwashers.

Automatic dishwashing equipment is widely used in restaurants, hotels and the like in order to increase the economy and efliciency related to handling of large numbers of dishes. It is important in such businesses to provide means for handling of the dishes which will minimize breakage, but which are at the same time capable of use in combination with existing dishwasher constructions. Furthermore, since plates, cups, glasses etc., vary considerably in size, it is desirable to provide means which are sufficiently versatile for the handling of all varieties of dishes.

One problem which arises due to the various sizes exhibited by dishes relates to a storage problem. Thus, racks and trays take up a considerable space and it is therefore necessary to allot sufficient room in a restaurant or the like for storing the racks and trays when not in use.

It is one object of this invention to provide an improved dish handling rack and tray assembly which is capable of being used in a highly efiicient manner for dishwashing operations and the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a rack and tray assembly of the type described which utilizes a minimum of component parts whereby a large inventory and, consequently, extensive storage space will not be required even in instances where a considerable variety of dishes are to be handled.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an assembly of the type described which is characterized by a unique design whereby the number of dishes which can be carried by the assembly will be maximized to thereby further increase the efiiciency of utilizing the assembly.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide an assembly of the type described which includes a tray portion suited for use in combination with automatic dishwashing constructions, and also adapted to be employed in combination with a wide variety of rack portions whereby the number of tray portions necessary for a given operation will be minimized.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention will be shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a typical rack portion suitable for use in the assembly of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the rack portion shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the rack portion shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating a corner of the rack portion shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a tray portion suitable for use in combination with a rack portion of the type shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view illustrating a stack comprising assemblies of the rack and tray portions of this invention; and,

'ice

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating an additional alternative form characterized by the features of this invention.

The instant invention generally relates to an assembly for use in the cleaning and handling of dishes which comprises a tray portion characterized by peripheral walls. A rack portion which defines means for holding dishes to be carried on the assembly is adapted to be associated with the tray portion whereby the assembly can be carried as a unit through an automatic dishwashing construction or used in any other desired manner.

Means are defined in the rack portion for cooperating with means defined in the tray portion whereby the assembly can be secured in a desired fashion. These securing means preferably consist of downwardly extending pins formed in the rack portion. Openings are defined in the peripheral walls of the tray portion and the pins on the rack portion are adapted to be received in these openings. The rack portion is designed whereby the walls thereof correspond generally to the dimensions of the walls of the tray portion and with this feature, maximum utilization of the space in the rack portion can be achieved.

In the accompanying drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates a rack portion 10 which is specifically designed for the handling of plates and the like. The rack includes an upper peripheral rim 12 which, along with vertical wire members 14, defines walls for the rack. The wire mem bers 14 extend into portions 16 whereby an open-mesh bottom is provided for the rack. As best shown in FIG- URE 3, the portions 16 extending in one direction across the rack are bent upwardly to form portions 18 which are adapted for supporting a plurality of plates, cafeteria trays or the like.

The illustrated rack also includes a peripheral rim 20 which is located intermediate the top and bottom edges of the rack. Pin members 22 are connected to the upper rim 12 and extend outwardly of the intermediate rim 20 to thereby define free ends at the bottom of the rack.

The tray portion 24 of this invention is best illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6. This tray portion includes upstanding walls 26 and a web-like network is formed across the bottom of the tray by means of struts 2S and 30. Brace members 32 connect the outermost struts 28 to the side walls 26 and these brace members define openings 34 which are adapted for receiving a pawl or advancing lever used in certain type of dishwashing machines. The web-like network provides openings in the bottom of the tray portion for fiow of water.

FIGURE 6 illustrates an assembly comprising a rack portion 10' and a tray portion 24. It will be noted that the pin members 22' are adapted to be received in open ings 36 defined in the top surface of the walls 26 of the tray portion. These pin members are suspended freely within a hollow space 38 formed by reason of the generally V-shaped hollow interior defined by the walls 26. They are then adapted to be bent over whereby the rack and tray will be secured together during use. Disassembly can be easily accomplished by straightening the pin members.

The intermediate peripheral rim 20' of the rack 10' rests on this upper surface to provide the actual support connection between the rack and tray portions. This feature represents an important characteristic of the instant invention since the rim 20 is outside the area of the rack which is utilized for holding glassware. Accordingly, the supporting rim will not in any way reduce the capacity of the assembly. In addition, wear and tear on the tray portion, which may be formed of molded polyethylene, polypropylene or polybutylene, is minimized since there is no engagement by the rack which the bed of the tray and since the pin ends do not engage portions of the tray.

It will be noted that the rack 10 is provided with a top rim 40 and transverse wire members 42. These members define openings for receiving glasses or the like whereby the rims of the glasses will engage the bottom of the tray. The rims will thus rest on the molded plastic of the tray 24, reducing glass to metal contact even after the plastic coating on the wire portions of the rack wears off. It will be understood, however, that the rack portions can also be formed of molded plastic.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a modification which is particularly suitable where both the tray and rack constructions are formed of plastic. In this embodiment, the rack portion 50 is provided with a plurality of upstanding brace members 52 and a peripheral upper rim 54. Cross members (not shown) provide for insertion of plates or glasses, depending on the desired use of the rack. A lower rim 56 of the rack is adapted to rest on the upper edge 58 of the tray portion 60. Rivets 62 provide for securement of the rim 56 to the upper edge 58. These members could also be bolted together; however, in any case, the rack and tray portions are connected whereby they can be separated for replacement of one or the other of the portions in the event that changes are necessitated.

The upper rim 54 is provided with upstanding stop members 64. These members are spaced inwardly from the rim 54 whereby the lower edge 66 of the wall 68 of the tray portion can rest on the upper edge of the rim 54. The means 64 thus serve as locating members to permit uniform stacking of the tray and rack assemblies.

It will be appreciated that the provision of trays of the type described will permit a substantial reduction in the amount of space necessary for storing dish and glassware handling constructions. are designed to accommodate racks which in turn can be of any type for handling all shapes and sizes of dishes or glasses. The rack portions of the assemblies tend to Wear out and these racks can be replaced by simply bending the pin members back for release of the worn out rack. The trays will be available for use for a considerably longer period and considerable savings are provided since these portions need not be scrapped with the racks.

The designs of the tray and rack portions are also specifically utilized with a view toward efficient and economical operation in mind. Thus, the combination of pin members in the rack portions and corresponding openings in the tray portions greatly simplifies assembly and securing of these portions. It will also be appreciated that the replacement of worn out rack portions can be carried out rapidly and without the need for any particular skill.

The tray portions illustrated can be efiiciently transported since the peripheral walls will nest with the hollow interiors defined by the peripheral walls of an adjacent tray in a stack. It is also to be noted that the illustrated tray portions are capable of being used separately since they define a flat bed suitable for carrying a wide variety of objects.

The rack portions shown in FIGURES 1 through 4 are also capable of being nested with the tray portions when the assemblies are completed. Thus, the hollow interiors defined by the peripheral walls of a tray are adapted to fit over the rims 12 of these rack portions. This arrangement reduces somewhat the space taken up by the tray and rack assemblies, and it also provides stability when the assemblies are stacked.

It will be appreciated that with the tray portions above described, the racks can be readily included in an assembly which will immediately adapt them for transportation through an automatic dishwasher. It will be obvious that the assembly of the instant invention eliminates the need for transferring dishes from a rack into constructions adapted to be transported through a dishwasher.

Thus, the trays of this invention It will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made in the above described constructions which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An assembly for the cleaning and handling of dishes and glassware comprising a tray portion characterized by a peripheral wall, a top rim defined by said peripheral wall, said peripheral wall comprising vertically disposed inner and outer wall portions defining an inverted V- shaped cross section, a flat bed defined by said tray portion and extending within the confines of said peripheral wall, said bed defining an open network for passage of Water during a dishwashing operation, a rack portion defining openings for receiving dishes and glassware, a rim member extending all about the periphery of said rack portion, said rim member being located intermediate the top and bottom of said rack portion, said rack portion being adapted to be disposed over said tray portion whereby the dishes and glassware can be supported in an upright position by said rack portion while resting on said bed defined by said tray portion, and means formed at the outer edges of said rack portion for detachably mounting said rack portion on said tray portion, said last mentioned means comprising downwardly extending pins, openings defined in said top rim of the peripheral wall of said tray portion for receiving said pins, each of said pin members extending downwardly from said rim member of said rack portion with said rim member thereby resting on said top rim of said tray portion and whereby the lower portions of said pins are adapted to be bent over in the hollow interiors defined between said inner and outer wall portions.

2. An assembly for the cleaning and handling of dishes and glassware comprising a tray portion characterized by a peripheral wall, a top rim defined by said peripheral wall, said peripheral wall comprising vertically disposed inner and outer wall portions defining an inverted V- shaped cross section, a fiat bed defined by said tray portion and extending within the confines of said peripheral wall, said bed defining an open network for passage of water during a dishwashing operation, a rack portion defining openings for receiving dishes and glassware, a rim member extending all about the periphery of said rack portion, said rim member being located at a level beneath the top edge of said rack portion, said rack portion being adapted to be disposed over said tray portion whereby the dishes and glassware can be supported in an upright position by said rack portion while resting on said bed defined by said tray portion, said tray and rack portions being dimensioned whereby the rim member of said rack portion rests on the top rim of said tray portion when the rack portion is disposed over the tray portion, and means for securing said rack portion on said tray portion comprising rivets interconnecting said rim member and said top rim.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,312,891 8/19 Carlin 211-181 X 1,421,196 6/22 Fennimore 211-72 2,832,499 4/58 Maslow 211-41 X 2,858,641 11/58 Trimble 108-29 X 2,949,207 8/ 60 Reh'rig 220-97 X 2,997,155 8/61 Muckler et a1 211-41 X 3,009,579 11/61 Ettlinger 211-71 3,032,203 5/62 Romero 211-41 FOREIGN PATENTS 40,399 6/29 Denmark.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner. 

1. AN ASSEMBLY FOR THE CLEANING AND HANDLING OF DISHES AND GLASSWARE COMPRISING A TRAY PORTION CHARACTERIZED BY A PERIPHERAL WALL, A TOP RIM DEFINED BY SAID PERIPHERAL WALL, SAID PERIPHERAL WALL COMPRISING VERTICALLY DISPOSED INNER AND OUTER WALL PORTIONS DEFINING AN INVERTED VSHAPED CROSS SECTION, A FLAT BED DEFINED BY SAID TRAY PORTION AND EXTENDING WITHIN THE CONFINES OF SAID PERIPHERAL WALL, SAID BED DEFINING AN OPEN NETWORK FOR PASSAGE OF WATER DURING A DISWASHING OPERATION, A RACK PORTION DEFINING OPENINGS FOR RECEIVING DISHES AND GLASSWARE, A RIM MEMBER EXTENDING ALL ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF SAID RACK PORTION, SAID RIM MEMBER BEING LOCATED INTERMEDIATE THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SAID RACK PORTION, SAID RACK PORTION BEING ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED OVER SAID TRAY PORTION WHEREBY THE DISHES AND GLASSWARE CAN BE SUPPORTED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION BY SAID RACK PORTION WHILE RESTING ON SAID BED DEFINED BY SAID TRAY PORTION, AND MEANS FORMED AT THE OUTER EDGES OF SAID RACK PORTION FOR DETACHABLY MOUNTING SAID ROCK PORTION ON SAID TRAY PORTION, SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS COMPRISING DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING PINS, OPENINGS DEFINED IN SAID TOP RIM OF THE PERIPHERAL WALL OF SAID TRAY PORTION FOR RECEIVING SAID PINS, EACH OF SAID PIN MEMBERS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID RIM MEMBER OF SAID RACK PORTION WITH SAID RIM MEMBER THEREBY RESTING ON SAID TOP RIM OF SAID TRAY PORTION AND WHEREBY THE LOWER PORTIONS OF SAID PINS ARE ADAPTED TO BE BENT OVER IN THE HOLLOW INTERIORS DEFINED BETWEEN SAID INNER AND OUTER WALL PORTIONS. 